King Abdulaziz Public Library And Royal Commission For AlUla Sign MoU To Enhance Cultural Cooperation

The King Abdulaziz Public Library and the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) have formalised a partnership to enhance cultural collaboration. This memorandum of understanding (MoU) aims to promote knowledge sharing, support cultural tourism, and boost cooperation in various cultural sectors. The signing took place at the library's headquarters in Riyadh, with Faisal bin Abdulrahman bin Muammar and Abeer AlAkel representing their respective organisations.

Bin Muammar highlighted that this agreement aligns with the library's mission to preserve Arab and Islamic heritage. He stressed the library's role in safeguarding this heritage through its vast collection of manuscripts, books, documents, rare photographs, and its publishing and translation projects. The library is committed to maintaining the Kingdom's diverse cultural legacy.

AlAkel described the partnership as a model for integrated efforts among government entities, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. She emphasised the library's extensive knowledge and cultural archives, especially in areas overseen by the RCU. This collaboration is seen as a significant step towards achieving national cultural goals.

The MoU outlines several collaborative initiatives. These include establishing libraries, hosting exhibitions both locally and internationally, and co-publishing books. It also involves supporting scientific research and promoting bilingual publications in Arabic and English. The exchange of visual and audio materials related to AlUla, Al-Mu'azzam, Tayma, and Khaybar is also part of the agreement.

The agreement will activate the AlUla Reads initiative, which aims to introduce mobile library reading tours. These tours are designed to promote literacy through community events targeted at children and families. Such initiatives are expected to foster a love for reading among younger generations.

Training and development programs form another crucial aspect of this partnership. These programs will focus on building professional capacities through joint courses and workshops. By enhancing skills within the cultural sector, both organisations aim to contribute significantly to Saudi Arabia's cultural landscape.

This MoU represents a strategic move towards strengthening cultural ties between two prominent institutions in Saudi Arabia. By focusing on shared goals such as knowledge exchange and community engagement, it promises to enrich the Kingdom's cultural scene while preserving its rich heritage.

With inputs from SPA